New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 439 Lisa's Secret

The next day, Claire headed to Cryptonic to meet Winnie. She couldn't shake off her curiosity about what Winnie had discovered-it was like waiting to open a mystery gift. Claire arrived early, making herself comfortable in her office.

Her first stop? The hacker forums, because if there was one thing she knew, it was that Eligos loved to sneak his digital nose where it didn't belong. After confirming everything was secure (for now), she leaned back in her chair and glanced at the clock. Noon couldn't come fast enough.

When the clock struck twelve, a soft knock sounded at her door.

"Come in!" Claire called, standing up to greet Winnie.

Winnie entered with a polite smile, carrying herself with her usual quiet composure. "Good afternoon, Claire," she said softly.

"Hey, Winnie," Claire replied warmly, gesturing toward the couch. "Come, sit. How've you been?"

"I'm fine, thank you," Winnie answered, her voice calm but a little too formal.

Claire tilted her head, sensing there was more to the story. "Any trouble on your end? Anything weird going on?"

Winnie hesitated, then let out a small sigh. "Well, sometimes it's hard to act neutral when Lisa acts... odd or suddenly turns mysterious as if she is seeing me right through my soul."

Claire chuckled knowingly. "Odd is putting it lightly. That woman's like a firecracker with a faulty fuse-never know when she's gonna blow."

Winnie cracked a small smile, seeming a little more at ease.

"All right," Claire said, leaning forward. "What have you got for me? Spill it."

Winnie straightened up, her tone turning serious. "Lisa's been having a visitor. And not just a one-time thing but this woman has visited her twice." Claire's brows shot up. "Twice? That's interesting. Who is it?"

"That's the thing," Winnie replied, leaning in. "Every time I ask Lisa about it, she denies it. Flat-out denies she's had anyone over."

"Of course she does," Claire muttered, rolling her eyes. "Classic Lisa. Who's the mystery guest?"

Evelyn," Winnie

single bell. "Who the heck is Evelyn?

"I only know what the receptionist told me just

the type to have coffee dates or deep friendships. The idea of her sneaking around with someone named Evelyn was weird. Too weird. "Okay," Claire

"I'll

full psycho on you, get out of there.

"Promise me," Claire pressed.

Winnie said

to sink back onto the couch, deep in thought. Lisa and a secret visitor? Something about it didn't sit right. Before she could dwell too long,

Claire said, looking up to see Matthew strolling in

grinning as he plopped himself onto the chair across from

you doing here? You're supposed to be

off. "I'm fine. It's not as bad as it looked the first

Claire said, not buying it for a second.

at me like that. Besides, it is not as bad as that guy

her eyes. "What am

resilience?" he offered. "Anyway, I just ran into Winnie downstairs. What's

deciding there was no harm in filling him in. "She was updating me on the Lisa situation." Matthew's brow arched. "Oh? And?

into her seat, "apparently Lisa's been having a

repeated, leaning forward, his

Claire said, her face still twisted in

shook his head. "Nope.

him in on everything Winnie had shared, from

was done, Matthew sat back and let out a low whistle. "Lisa's

and suspicious," Claire corrected. "Lisa's not

Matthew agreed, tapping his fingers on the armrest. "What's your

running a hand through her hair. "Same as before. Winnie kept watching, but I told her not to take any risks. If Lisa so much as twitches wrong, I want her out

q big question mark. And Lisa's always up to something shady Claire said with a wry